Indian Air Force’s Tejas Vs Pakistan’s JF 17, Tejas Is Far Better

Ask any aviation experts, they would agree on the fact that a comparison between Indian LCA Tejas and Pakistan-China collab JF-17 Thunder is a cardinal sin. Aviation experts agree that both are at different generations and a comparison is not right. Let us take a look at both fighter’s specs and decide if a comparison between the two is worthy.

TEJAS

Tejas during AeroIndia-2015, Credits DebRana

Manufacturer: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd

Plans for Tejas were kickstarted during early eighties to establish a self-reliant aerospace environment in India. Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) was established to spearhead the project. Hal was made the principal partner along with assistance from DRDO, CSIR and various PSUs and private firms. It is intended to replace the aging and obsolete Mig-21 fleet IAF, which retired recently.

Technical Specifications

GEF404 during ground test, Credits: General Electric

Powerplant: General Electric F404-GE-F2J3 afterburning turbofan to be replaced by GE F414 in future

Glass cockpit display- with Multi Function Displays (MFD), Head Up Display (HUD) and Open Architecture Mission and display computer

Lightest and smallest fighter in its class

Operations intended for Air Defence, Air-superiority and Close Air Support

Armaments

1x GSh-23 cannon

Air-to-Air missiles

Air-to-Surface missiles

Guided and Non-Guided bombs

Rocket pods

Anti- Ship missiles

Citing its specifications Tejas would be best suitable for Close Air Support and Ground attack roles. It could engage in Beyond Visual Range fights with BVR missiles like Astra and upgraded EL/M-2052 AESA radar.

JF-17 Thunder

Soon after the cancellation of Project ‘Super 7’ with Grumman, China launched the FC-1 fighter project for which they invited Pakistan to be a partner. Pakistan invested in return for huge Transfer of Technology and a position as an R&D partner.

Operations are intended for Close Air Support, Air Defence, Close Air Patrol and Ground attack

JF-17Thunder at Paris Airshow 2015, Credits: WikimediaCommons

Armaments

1x GSh-23 cannon

Air to Air missiles

Air to Surface missiles

Guided and Unguided bombs

CONCLUSION

It is pretty clear from the article that Tejas is far better than JF-17 in all aspects, that is simply because JF-17 was never meant to be the backbone of an air force (except Pakistan of course). The Chinese wanted them as a support to their ageing J-7 fleet. That is why the Chinese themself do not operate the Thunder but eyes potential export sales only. Pakistan was their first step and they succeeded in roping them in.

Tejas doing ski-jump at SBTF, Goa Credits:ADA

Tejas on the other hand is focussed on being a platform to provide a growing ground for Indian aviation industry. It is a road to the future of advanced aircraft design and fabrication in Indian soil. The Tejas platform is flexible in every way and is generations ahead of JF-17 and with the list of upgradations on cards; it would be a formidable fighter that could reign the skies of future. So next time someone draws a comparison between the two, you know what to do.